Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (2024)

Home Pasta Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

By Natasha

Apr 12, 2020, Updated Feb 22, 2024

4.89

461

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This easy chicken fettuccine Alfredo recipe has the most dreamy parmesan garlic cream sauce that perfectly coats the pasta. Golden pan-fried garlic chicken takes this dish to the next level!

You may also like my Creamy Garlic Chicken and this Super Easy Creamy Tomato Pasta.

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (2)

Why you’ll love it

You’ve been loving my Shrimp Alfredo, so I figured it was time to make a chicken version! The recipe is very similar because why fix what ain’t broken. 😉 Here I include easy instructions for how to cook chicken for fettuccine Alfredo. Tender, juicy sliced chicken. Oh yeah.

Alfredo sauce is simply a mix of cream, butter, and parmesan cheese, but I also add cream cheese to it, and it’s a game changer. It helps thicken the sauce and adds a delicious bit of tanginess to it. I also add plenty of garlic… obviously. This will be your go-to version!

What you’ll need

  • Chicken breasts – slice them in half lengthwise to cook them faster and keep them tender
  • Garlic powder – seasoning the chicken with salt & pepper and garlic powder infuses flavor
  • Flour – coating the chicken in flour makes it less likely to stick to the pan and gives it a nice golden coating and delicious crust
  • Olive oil and butter – for pan frying
  • Fettuccine – the classic pasta choice
  • Cream cheese – for added texture and tangy taste. Some would say it doesn’t belong in Alfredo sauce, but I respectfully disagree!
  • Heavy cream – it’s rich, delicious, and much less likely to curdle than other options
  • Chicken broth – more savory flavor!
  • Garlic – for even more garlicky taste
  • Parmesan – it’s not Alfredo sauce without it
Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (3)

Pro tip

The cream cheese really needs to be soft to make this recipe go much smoother, so I recommend taking it out of the fridge 30+ minutes prior to starting the recipe or microwaving it in 20-30 second intervals until it’s very soft and pliable.

How to make chicken fettuccine Alfredo

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (4)

Cook the fettuccine until al dente. Prep the chicken, sprinkle the cutlets with salt & pepper and garlic powder, then coat in flour. Pan-fry it in the oil and some of the butter until it’s cooked through. Transfer it to a plate. Add the remaining butter, the cream cheese, cream, chicken broth, and garlic to the pan.

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (5)

Stir until the sauce is smooth, and let the sauce thicken up. Meanwhile, slice the chicken into strips. Stir the parmesan into the sauce, and let it bubble for a minute. If it isn’t thick enough, cook it for a few more minutes. If it ends up too thick, add a splash of the hot pasta water to it. Season with salt & pepper, toss with the drained fettuccine, and top with the chicken.

Tools for this recipe

Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!

  • Chicken can easily go from underdone to overdone in recipes like this. I recommend using an instant read thermometer to take the guesswork out of it. Chicken is safe to eat at 165F (keep in mind its temperature will keep rising a few degrees after you stop cooking it).
  • I always like to suggest grating your own parmesan cheese. It tastes much better, and the pre-grated stuff doesn’t melt into the sauce as well. I love this cheese grater. I always keep a wedge of parm in my fridge.
  • Use a splatter guard to minimize cleanup.

Substitutions and variations

  • You could also use rotisserie or Cooked Chicken if that’s easier for you.
  • If you don’t have fettuccine, use what you have on hand. I prefer a longer pasta.
  • I don’t recommend substituting the cream for something else. The sauce may not thicken properly and may curdle. Alfredo sauce is notorious for curdling if you use milk, so use any substitutions at your own risk. This is definitely a treat meal, and a delicious one at that! This tastes like something you’d get at the Olive Garden or Cheesecake Factory.
Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (6)

What to serve with chicken Alfredo

  • Serve this pasta with a slice of fresh crusty bread, or go all out with my Extra Cheesy Garlic Bread.
  • A salad is a great pairing. I recommend my Homemade Olive Garden Dressing, or try my popular 10-Minute Caesar Dressing (no blender needed) and Garlic Croutons for a Caesar salad. For something lighter, try my Super Simple Parmesan Arugula Salad.

Leftovers and storage

  • Store any leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days in a covered container.
  • This pasta is definitely best fresh. It’s not ideal for reheating, but reheat slowly in a saucepan over a low heat so that it doesn’t separate. Add a splash more cream if desired.
  • I don’t recommend freezing leftover fettuccine Alfredo since the texture will change.

More creamy pasta recipes

  • Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
  • Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Gnocchi
  • Chicken Pesto Pasta
  • Easy Pink Sauce Pasta
  • Italian Sausage Orzo
Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (7)

I hope you will love this chicken Alfredo as much as I do! If you made it, leave a star rating and review below, or tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram so I can see your creations.

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (8)

4.89 from 183 votes

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

By Natasha Bull

This easy chicken fettuccine Alfredo recipe has the most dreamy parmesan garlic cream sauce that perfectly coats the pasta. Golden pan-fried garlic chicken takes this dish to the next level!

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4

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Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts cut in half lengthwise
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Flour for dredging
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter divided
  • 8 ounces uncooked fettuccine
  • 4 ounces cream cheese (I used 1/2 block of Philly) softened
  • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 2 large cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Take the cream cheese out of the fridge to soften up at least 30 minutes (or longer) prior to starting the recipe, or microwave it for 20-30 seconds. Grate the parmesan cheese. I prep other ingredients while I'm going along.

  • Boil a large, salted pot of water for the fettuccine. Cook it al dente according to package directions.

  • Meanwhile, cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise so you have 4 thinner cutlets. Sprinkle them with the garlic powder and salt & pepper on both sides. Coat them in flour.

  • In a deep skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter. When the pan is hot, cook the chicken for 5 minutes/side or until golden and cooked through. Take the pan off the heat, and remove the chicken to a plate and set it aside.

  • Wipe out the skillet/give it a quick rinse if there's a lot of extra grease (no need to wash it unless you really want to). Add in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, the cream cheese, cream, chicken broth, and garlic. Return the pan to the burner over medium heat. Once the butter has melted and the pan has heated up, use your spoon to help the cream cheese melt into the sauce. This will take a couple of minutes.

  • When the cream cheese has been incorporated into the sauce, let it gently bubble for 5 minutes until the sauce has reduced somewhat. You can give it the occasional stir. Slice the chicken into bite-size strips while it's cooking.

  • Stir the parmesan into the sauce. Let it cook for about a minute. The sauce should be thick enough by now, but if you want to reduce it further, let it cook for a little longer. If at any point the sauce gets too thick, simply add a splash of the hot pasta water to it. Give it a taste and season with salt & pepper as needed.

  • Drain the fettuccine and add it to the skillet and toss with the sauce. Dish it up with the chicken on top (or mix it in) and grate on more parmesan cheese as desired.

Notes

  • I do not recommend subbing the heavy cream for anything. Alfredo sauce can easily separate if you’re making it with milk or something with a lower fat content. This is definitely a treat meal.

Nutrition

Calories: 878kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 44g, Fat: 56g, Saturated Fat: 30g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 16g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 260mg, Sodium: 808mg, Potassium: 716mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 1804IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 320mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.

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461 Comments

  1. Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (11)
    Made it today and the grands thinks I ordered it from Olive Garden! I added tomatoes and spinach. A colorful and delicious dish.

    Reply

    1. I love that!

      Reply

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between chicken alfredo and chicken fettuccine? ›

Chicken alfredo and fettuccine alfredo are very similar. They both use the alfredo sauce which is a creamy sauce made with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, but chicken alfredo adds chicken to the pasta and sauce, while fettuccine alfredo is made with just the pasta and sauce.

What can I add to fettuccine Alfredo to make it taste better? ›

Heartier herbs like thyme or oregano can be added in to simmer with the sauce. Add delicate herbs like parsley, basil, or chervil at the end to maintain their delicate, aromatic flavor. Quick tip: Swirl in a bit of leftover pesto to add another herbaceous twist to your Alfredo sauce.

How to make my chicken alfredo better? ›

Extra seasonings and spices will go a long way in adding flavor to a boring jar of sauce. Some of my personal favorites include salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, dried basil, oregano, onion powder or seasoned salt. Start with small amounts (1/2 teaspoon at a time) and add as needed, in order to avoid over-spicing.

What is the best pasta to use with Alfredo sauce? ›

As a general rule, pair the heartier sauces with the wider noodles: Wide ribbons like pappardelle pair well with rich, meaty sauces while the thinner flat noodles, like fettuccine or linguine, are best paired with simple cream sauces like Alfredo or delicate proteins like seafood.

Is Alfredo sauce healthier than spaghetti sauce? ›

Marinara sauce is lower in calories and fat, making it a preferable sauce choice for those that are counting calories or on a low-fat diet. It also has more fiber than Alfredo sauce as it contains mostly vegetables. Conversely, high-fat diets are on the rise, making Alfredo an ideal sauce for many consumers.

How to doctor up jar Alfredo sauce? ›

15 Ways To Upgrade Store-Bought Alfredo Sauce
  1. Add extra cheese for creaminess and flavor. ...
  2. Stir in a touch of marinara to mimic a vodka sauce. ...
  3. Mix in a bit of pesto for an instant transformation. ...
  4. Add roasted or sauteed garlic for a serious boost in flavor. ...
  5. Simmer with extra herbs and spices for added depth.
Feb 29, 2024

What is the secret to smooth Alfredo sauce? ›

Add heavy whipping cream, a little at a time, whisking to smooth out lumps.

How do you thicken fettuccine Alfredo sauce? ›

The key ingredient in Alfredo sauce is cheese—generally Parmigiano Reggiano—and lots of it. To thicken Alfredo sauce, simply add more cheese than the amount called for in a recipe until you achieve the consistency you want.

Why is my chicken Alfredo bland? ›

If it seems bland, chances are it just needs another hit of salt. You could also add additional punch by topping each plate with a hint of one of the ingredients in the dish—a couple of mint leaves, a sprinkling of chopped parsley, or a pinch of extra lemon zest.

What spices go well with chicken Alfredo? ›

What can I add to chicken alfredo to make it taste better? I keep the seasonings simple for the chicken—kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and sweet paprika for a golden hue. I add dried onion, garlic powder, and a sprinkle of robust Italian herbs like oregano, thyme, and basil for extra flavor.

Is homemade Alfredo worth it? ›

Why Make it at Home? In blind taste tests I found that alfredo sauce made from scratch has a lot more flavor than jarred sauce. The parmesan is a lot more prevalent and the sauce itself is smoother and richer. And this flavor comes at practically no extra cost.

What flavors compliment Alfredo sauce? ›

Add basil, parsley, oregano, or rosemary to add life to the sauce. The first three herbs are classic for many Italian dishes, and rosemary is a common addition to creamy potato dishes, so adding them to a jarred Alfredo sauce makes sense.

What vegetables go with Alfredo? ›

Stir in big handfuls of spinach, Kale mushrooms, zucchini, onions, broccoli, spinach, squash, or grape tomatoes after the pasta is cooked. You can also substitute zucchini (zoodles) for the pasta.

What should I add to my Alfredo? ›

10 Unexpected Ways To Upgrade Your Next Alfredo Sauce
  1. Roast some black garlic. Joe_mcubed/Getty Images. ...
  2. Add a dash of pesto. Nitrub/Getty Images. ...
  3. Stir in caramelized onions. ...
  4. Place some prosciutto on top. ...
  5. Sprinkle in fresh herbs and greens. ...
  6. Include chopped pancetta. ...
  7. Splurge on adding truffles. ...
  8. Mix in tricolor cherry tomatoes.
Feb 1, 2023

Are fettuccine and Alfredo the same? ›

Fettuccine Alfredo is a richer version of the standard Italian fettuccine al burro ('fettuccine with butter'), also called pasta burro e parmigiano ('pasta with butter and Parmesan cheese'). It is a kind of pasta in bianco, that is, without added sauce.

What's the difference between Alfredo and fettuccine? ›

the Difference Between Alfredo and Fettuccine? Alfredo is the Italian-American white sauce we all know and love. Fettuccine is the long, skinny pasta most of us like to enjoy with our Alfredo sauce.

Which is better for Alfredo sauce linguine or fettuccine? ›

Best served with: Wide, flat fettuccine is perfect for creamy sauces like lush, cheesy alfredo or a creamy tomato or vodka sauce—since the noodles have more surface area, it's easier for heavier sauces to adhere and make it to your mouth.

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